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A woman poses in prayer
Photo by Diana Simumpande on Unsplash

Welcome to PJP’s newest special project, “Love, Mom.” For this collection, we have invited mothers to share their perspectives and experiences surrounding incarceration. We hope that this project will give you, our reader, a better understanding of the impacts of incarceration on families across the country. To view more pieces from the “Love, Mom” collection, please click here.

I left when you were six
It kills me because it doesn’t make sense
I still picture your face every day and night
I still see your face especially when I cry
You brighten my day
Even when you don’t try
I know God will see us through
Even if we don’t know why
He puts us through trials and tribulations
Cause you believed now I believe too
I stand because I will soon be free
20 years is too long to be away
Through this time locked down
He taught me how to pray
They say I see parole in 2027
I’m claiming it will be any day
Being a single mother
Being away is hard
He gave me faith
He pulled me through it all
So while these days go by
Lift your head up and know
He’s given me a great chance to try
I’m not doing it for nobody else
I’m doing it for you
Just know baby girl everything you prayed about
God will see us through

Disclaimer: The views in this article are those of the author. Prison Journalism Project has verified the writer’s identity and basic facts such as the names of institutions mentioned.

Kandis Boone is a writer and mother incarcerated in Texas.